The scientists participating in the conference at Sapienza University are not creationists. They represent thousands of world-renowned scientists whose evidence against evolution is often downplayed or ignored by academics who support evolution.

But I know that Berthault is a diluvialist at least. However, Berthault doesn't consider himself a Creationist because his position is based on data, not theology.

October 22, 2008

General / The Changing Understanding of Pseudogenes

JB

Our understanding of pseudogenes is currently being revolutionized. Jean Lightner reviews some literature which discusses pseudogenes that code for proteins! Pseudogenes have already been shown to provide lots of different types of regulation, but now we are seeing that different ways of reading the genes can actually produce functioning proteins from pseudogenes.

This should re-emphasize a point - science is always changing. Those of you who think that we should put our faith in science instead of God and God's word in scripture, remember that what we think we know today about science can turn out wrong tomorrow. Science is great, but only if we understand it as a subordinate discipline. Science is a servant, not a master. Many of the "proofs" of evolution are based off of things that we are only beginning to understand.

I worry that the Church is banking too much on the "established fact" of evolution. There is so much theology that is currently being systematically skewed because even conservative evangelicals are shifting to the evolutionary paradigm.

Matthew 24:24 - "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."

I think many Christians are turning to science as a false Christ and false prophet. If you look at the way they justify their theology, it is based on all of the wonderful achievements of science, and then they go and reinterpret the whole Bible based on an evolutionary paradigm. That rings to me of following a false Christ because of signs and wonders.

2 Peter 3:3-6 - "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed."

October 21, 2008

General / Intellectual Honesty

JB

MikeGene has had several great posts of late but I haven't had time to blog on them. However this one I think is important enough for us that I'm taking the time to post it: 10 Signs of Intellectual Honesty. This is a very easy value to sacrifice when trying to convince people of the value of your position, especially when something important like scripture or creation is being discussed. However, I would argue that overreaching/intellectual dishonesty have the biggest long-term downsides.

October 01, 2008

General / Caterpillars - Cute and Stinging

JB

My wife found a cool-looking caterpillar outside near the sandbox. Turns out it is potentially a stinging caterpillar. Anyway, we are keeping it for a pet in a butterfly cage. It is a Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris).